Perry interview

[Monker]

I know there are other threads on the interview but I just wanted to start my own because nobody has been more critical of Perry's interviews then me.

I think it's the most insightful interview Perry has given in a long time, decades probably. No cryptic msgs like "I never felt like part of the band" or "I think about touring all the time..." It's just plain simple conversation about subjects that everybody wants to read about and get answers to. It seems to me that Perry went into this wanting to talk and those really make the best interviews...not some interviewer trying to force an answer out of somebody who doesn't want to answer that question...

He still says some thing that don't quite sit well with me..like him bringing the band together...the band was already together, just not with hm. But, that's his perspective on things and in the big picture it's probably not that important anyway...and least it's not so important to me any longer.

The best thing that I get out of this is he let go of so much of the past and is able to just continue on without the negative feelings that even he admits he had in the beginning after TBF. That's a good thing and I'm glad he is able to do that.

His reasoning for being gone for so long is pretty much what I thought...I still don't think a tour or any live shows will ever happen...he dodged those questions pretty much. But, maybe by the end of the decade we'll see another album. That wouldn't surprise me at all.

But, overall it was a great honest, open interview. He should have done it 15yrs ago!

[brandonx76]

Its really good so far - having my own Street Talk and Raised on Radio listening on a friday night...life is good

[Andrew]

Thanks Monker. Your thoughts are appreciated.

[Monker]

.

So, it's a 'fail' because Perry didn't admit he can't sing? That's just lame. Is it a failure if Ross is interviewed and he doesn't admit that he is a less then average bass player who could be replaced at any moment and hardly any of the audience would care?

[The_Noble_Cause]

During the FTLOSM tour, Perry used to introduce "Missing You" by saying how he learned to accept the feeling of being without Sherrie in his life and that it was OK to simply miss someone. Acknowledge the feeling of loss without trying to act on it. He echoed similar sentiments about the band in Andrew's monster of an interview. Saying things, like, "I really do love the Journey guys and I know in their hearts they love me....Maybe we don't like each other that much, but we do love each other." Sounds like he's in a really good place. I would love to get a rebuttal from Herbie or Neal concerning Perry bringing the band back together for TBF. He makes it sound like the Chalfant-Rolie lineup wasn't ever in the works.

[majik]

Great great interview Andrew, done with the highest respect and sensitivity that Steve Perry deserves imho.
He was very honest and open in his answer to the questions, a true legend that gave so much of himself through his voice and music, one of a kind. How can we ask for more.

[wednesday's child]

.

Humor aside, McNiece had the grace not to bring up THAT issue.
Although the instance of Perry singing a few lines over the phone provided
an opportunity to segue into an unasked question, it was a better answer
than could be hoped for, if the question HAD been asked.

There was a LOT of shitty behavior on all sides, leading up to the stone
being cracked, and I don't backtrack on ANY of my criticisms versus SP,
but if the principal victims/perpetrators can move past it all, and get on
with their lives and their music, maybe the fans can too.

[slucero]

.

Lol... squeezing every last drop out of that Perry hate...

[annie89509]

During the FTLOSM tour, Perry used to introduce "Missing You" by saying how he learned to accept the feeling of being without Sherrie in his life and that it was OK to simply miss someone. Acknowledge the feeling of loss without trying to act on it. He echoed similar sentiments about the band in Andrew's monster of an interview. Saying things, like, "I really do love the Journey guys and I know in their hearts they love me....Maybe we don't like each other that much, but we do love each other." Sounds like he's in a really good place. I would love to get a rebuttal from Herbie or Neal concerning Perry bringing the band back together for TBF. He makes it sound like the Chalfant-Rolie lineup wasn't ever in the works.

Monker, TNC...we may never know the true story. Don't know the exact timeline...but didn't SP do and come out with his solo record (FTLOSM) before the Chalfant-Rolie lineup was ever contemplated? My thoughts are this... when SP showed up at the Bill Graham tribute (1991), after several years of (perceived) seclusion and sang with JC/NS, people thought the band was back together. For all intents and purpose, Journey was SP/NS/JC as Ross and Smitty were previously dismissed last in '86. But, instead of getting back with the band, Steve went solo with a record in '94. Adding insult to injury (for the Journey folks), Steve proceeded to talk, then embarked, on a solo tour. This is when (I think) they started to get serious about reforming Journey with Kevin as the LS. Who knows?...maybe Sony didn't like the idea...maybe KC was used as a threat to get SP to come back. What we do know is...when SP made that call, Jon/Neal gladly took Steve back. That is an undisputed fact.

[jrnysc]

Wow Andrew. VERY nice interview. I know you are thrilled. Do you have any idea how many people would love to have the opportunity you just had! Been a long time since I have posted, but still read often.

I guess I have a different taking on my perception of the interview than some. I have long said NO WAY does Journey ever perform again with Steve Perry. While I still believe it highly unlikely, after reading Steve's comments, and a recent interview by Cain, I'm not convinced it is IMPOSSIBLE. Will it ever be a full tour? No. But here is the thing. Perry says he still loves those guys, and Cain and Schon still speak highly of him. Someone needs to be the bigger person here, and rather than speaking through attorneys, MAKE CONTACT! Whether you ever perform one single time together again or not, these guys were too special to carry on forever this way.

Steve Perry strikes me as a guy who handles emotions in a feminine way. And I don't mean that negatively towards him. What I mean is he constantly talks about his emotions, and how painful everything is, and how when he listens to certain songs he is flooded by emotion. Perry seems to take everything in, where Schon seems like a tough guy, where everything is like whatever. I handle emotions somewhat like Perry. I am affected deeply by certain things, and cannot change that. That is what I also would keep Perry from ever trying to make contact, although I'm not sure he would refuse contact if it came from CAIN. I don't believe he would be ready to speak to Schon, as there seems to be some negative feelings still left there.

So, I would love to see them at least on speaking terms again. They shared something way too special to end up leaving this earth on non speaking terms. Life is too short. And, if there were on speaking terms, then see what happens. That is my take anyway.

[Navarro]

.

Very uncool and there is really no evidence that SP can't sing. If fact, there is evidence to the contrary. Andrew thought he sounded good. Maybe he can't sing like it is 1981, but that doesn't mean he can't sing. Just because he doesn't have a glass shattering range anymore, doesn't mean he can't sing. All male voices, lower with age. You may not like his voice anymore, but I am willing to bet SP can still carry a tune quite well. He sang very much in the center of the pitch which very few rockers do which means he has a great ear and would easily know if he was singing out of tune.

[RedWingFan]

During the FTLOSM tour, Perry used to introduce "Missing You" by saying how he learned to accept the feeling of being without Sherrie in his life and that it was OK to simply miss someone. Acknowledge the feeling of loss without trying to act on it. He echoed similar sentiments about the band in Andrew's monster of an interview. Saying things, like, "I really do love the Journey guys and I know in their hearts they love me....Maybe we don't like each other that much, but we do love each other." Sounds like he's in a really good place. I would love to get a rebuttal from Herbie or Neal concerning Perry bringing the band back together for TBF. He makes it sound like the Chalfant-Rolie lineup wasn't ever in the works.

Monker, TNC...we may never know the true story. Don't know the exact timeline...but didn't SP do and come out with his solo record (FTLOSM) before the Chalfant-Rolie lineup was ever contemplated? My thoughts are this... when SP showed up at the Bill Graham tribute (1991), after several years of (perceived) seclusion and sang with JC/NS, people thought the band was back together. For all intents and purpose, Journey was SP/NS/JC as Ross and Smitty were previously dismissed last in '86. But, instead of getting back with the band, Steve went solo with a record in '94. Adding insult to injury (for the Journey folks), Steve proceeded to talk, then embarked, on a solo tour. This is when (I think) they started to get serious about reforming Journey with Kevin as the LS. Who knows?...maybe Sony didn't like the idea...maybe KC was used as a threat to get SP to come back. What we do know is...when SP made that call, Jon/Neal gladly took Steve back. That is an undisputed fact.

Add to that the fact that the only way Steve Smith was coming back was if Perry was involved. It was Perry that got Smith back into the band.

[JohnH]

.

We really don't need him to admit it, when he's already all but done so and we all know it anyway. What was that quote during the Don't Stop Fever a couple of years ago- something like" Naw don't want to sing it, I want to keep the memory of the way it is alive" Isn't that enough?

It's not that he can't sing at all , it's just that the voice is heavily damaged.

By the way, thank you very much Andrew I really enjoyed the interview!!!!!

[Monker]

During the FTLOSM tour, Perry used to introduce "Missing You" by saying how he learned to accept the feeling of being without Sherrie in his life and that it was OK to simply miss someone. Acknowledge the feeling of loss without trying to act on it. He echoed similar sentiments about the band in Andrew's monster of an interview. Saying things, like, "I really do love the Journey guys and I know in their hearts they love me....Maybe we don't like each other that much, but we do love each other." Sounds like he's in a really good place. I would love to get a rebuttal from Herbie or Neal concerning Perry bringing the band back together for TBF. He makes it sound like the Chalfant-Rolie lineup wasn't ever in the works.

Monker, TNC...we may never know the true story. Don't know the exact timeline...but didn't SP do and come out with his solo record (FTLOSM) before the Chalfant-Rolie lineup was ever contemplated? My thoughts are this... when SP showed up at the Bill Graham tribute (1991), after several years of (perceived) seclusion and sang with JC/NS, people thought the band was back together. For all intents and purpose, Journey was SP/NS/JC as Ross and Smitty were previously dismissed last in '86. But, instead of getting back with the band, Steve went solo with a record in '94. Adding insult to injury (for the Journey folks), Steve proceeded to talk, then embarked, on a solo tour. This is when (I think) they started to get serious about reforming Journey with Kevin as the LS. Who knows?...maybe Sony didn't like the idea...maybe KC was used as a threat to get SP to come back. What we do know is...when SP made that call, Jon/Neal gladly took Steve back. That is an undisputed fact.

Add to that the fact that the only way Steve Smith was coming back was if Perry was involved. It was Perry that got Smith back into the band.

You guys are just flat out wrong.

The fact is the band, Neal, Jon, Steve Smith, Gregg Rolie, and Kevin Chalfant was together writing music. This lineup was first together at the Herbie Herbert roast which occurred while Perry was RECORDING FTLOSM...In fact that was his reason why he did not attend.

Steve Perry was even specifically asked about the Journey 'reunion/' without him in an interview (Kerrang?) and he said he knew about it and basically said the others had their time to be solo and do what they wanted to do outside of Journey, now it was his time to do his solo thing.

Then there is the FACT that during one of Perry's canceled Florida shows they had a band meeting to decide the future of Journey, who was going to be in the band. That is where it was decided that Perry was in and Gregg, Kevin and Herbie were out.

The phone call that Perry is always talking about may have been to get that meeting together and put forth his arguments and interests in being in Journey again...but the band, every other member, was already together without him.

But, that doesn't quite go with what Neal was saying at the time...that they were going to get Perry back in the band even if they had to hold him down and torture him...This was after the band meeting and I always felt that it was just PR bullshit and Perry was already in the band, and Neal knew it. But, it was a PR nightmare for Perry since his solo tour was still going at that time...but it was soon canceled and it was announced that he had joined the reunion.

Also, the Bill Graham tribute was not supposed to be billed as Journey. Neal did not like that at all...in fact he said that Journey was always: Neal Schon, Jonathan Cain, Steve Perry, AND Steve Smith, AND Ross Valory in a later interview,.

So, the phone call that got the band together is Perry's perspective on this...but it doesn't show the big picture of everything that was happening at that time. If you ignore all of the above, it makes it sound like Perry pulled the entire band back together with one phone call. That is frankly a fantasy and not true at all.

[RPM]

Wow. Andrew that was the best interview I have ever read from Steve. Congratulations,
and thanks to Lora for setting it up! Great job, very happy for you, and what a pleasure
to read!!
Ray

[onmyjrny]

During the FTLOSM tour, Perry used to introduce "Missing You" by saying how he learned to accept the feeling of being without Sherrie in his life and that it was OK to simply miss someone. Acknowledge the feeling of loss without trying to act on it. He echoed similar sentiments about the band in Andrew's monster of an interview. Saying things, like, "I really do love the Journey guys and I know in their hearts they love me....Maybe we don't like each other that much, but we do love each other." Sounds like he's in a really good place. I would love to get a rebuttal from Herbie or Neal concerning Perry bringing the band back together for TBF. He makes it sound like the Chalfant-Rolie lineup wasn't ever in the works.

Monker, TNC...we may never know the true story. Don't know the exact timeline...but didn't SP do and come out with his solo record (FTLOSM) before the Chalfant-Rolie lineup was ever contemplated? My thoughts are this... when SP showed up at the Bill Graham tribute (1991), after several years of (perceived) seclusion and sang with JC/NS, people thought the band was back together. For all intents and purpose, Journey was SP/NS/JC as Ross and Smitty were previously dismissed last in '86. But, instead of getting back with the band, Steve went solo with a record in '94. Adding insult to injury (for the Journey folks), Steve proceeded to talk, then embarked, on a solo tour. This is when (I think) they started to get serious about reforming Journey with Kevin as the LS. Who knows?...maybe Sony didn't like the idea...maybe KC was used as a threat to get SP to come back. What we do know is...when SP made that call, Jon/Neal gladly took Steve back. That is an undisputed fact.

Add to that the fact that the only way Steve Smith was coming back was if Perry was involved. It was Perry that got Smith back into the band.

You guys are just flat out wrong.

The fact is the band, Neal, Jon, Steve Smith, Gregg Rolie, and Kevin Chalfant was together writing music. This lineup was first together at the Herbie Herbert roast which occurred while Perry was RECORDING FTLOSM...In fact that was his reason why he did not attend.

Steve Perry was even specifically asked about the Journey 'reunion/' without him in an interview (Kerrang?) and he said he knew about it and basically said the others had their time to be solo and do what they wanted to do outside of Journey, now it was his time to do his solo thing.

Then there is the FACT that during one of Perry's canceled Florida shows they had a band meeting to decide the future of Journey, who was going to be in the band. That is where it was decided that Perry was in and Gregg, Kevin and Herbie were out.

The phone call that Perry is always talking about may have been to get that meeting together and put forth his arguments and interests in being in Journey again...but the band, every other member, was already together without him.

But, that doesn't quite go with what Neal was saying at the time...that they were going to get Perry back in the band even if they had to hold him down and torture him...This was after the band meeting and I always felt that it was just PR bullshit and Perry was already in the band, and Neal knew it. But, it was a PR nightmare for Perry since his solo tour was still going at that time...but it was soon canceled and it was announced that he had joined the reunion.

Also, the Bill Graham tribute was not supposed to be billed as Journey. Neal did not like that at all...in fact he said that Journey was always: Neal Schon, Jonathan Cain, Steve Perry, AND Steve Smith, AND Ross Valory in a later interview,.

So, the phone call that got the band together is Perry's perspective on this...but it doesn't show the big picture of everything that was happening at that time. If you ignore all of the above, it makes it sound like Perry pulled the entire band back together with one phone call. That is frankly a fantasy and not true at all.

Jon AND Gregg were both going to be in Journey together? That doesn't make a lot of sense to me. I really wasn't following the band during this time. Are there any interviews anywhere about this time period?

[journey361]

I know this is gonna sound kinda crazy, but how do we actually know that was the man himself (Steve Perry). I'm not so sure it was after reading through some of the answers to some of the outstanding questions. And i'm not alone on this one either as others have cemented there opinions as well.
It seems odd to me Perry would build a corner of his house to set up a drum set (kit) and record on a computer. He needs all that room and space i would think for those 50-plus songs he written and recorded through the years.
And also give Neil props for anything is what struck me the most. Neil has called him out so many times. (Steve, " your a F-stupid ass B_____d", and a lousy washed up singer, ") through the years. That's something coming from a very below average guitarist of any circle. I'm more inclined to believe that may have been an imposter. Possibly Chris Allen or maybe Scotty McCreery remembering their pre-idol days.

[Andrew]

I know this is gonna sound kinda crazy, but how do we actually know that was the man himself (Steve Perry). I'm not so sure it was after reading through some of the answers to some of the outstanding questions. And i'm not alone on this one either as others have cemented there opinions as well.

Oh Lordy!! Now I've heard it all!!!

Lora, can we get a voice analysis of the interview done please?

[tater1977]

I know this is gonna sound kinda crazy, but how do we actually know that was the man himself (Steve Perry). I'm not so sure it was after reading through some of the answers to some of the outstanding questions. And i'm not alone on this one either as others have cemented there opinions as well.

Oh Lordy!! Now I've heard it all!!!

Lora, can we get a voice analysis of the interview done please?

We need to all chip in and get Andrew a retinal or finger scanner..to
use on certain ..um...er...ah... lol "person" before entry..

[Andrew]

Maybe this isn't the real me?

[onmyjrny]

OMG, now this is REAL entertainment!!

I'm guessing it was his clone. With all the money he raked in from being the illegitimate 6th member of Journey, he went and cloned himself! So the question is, who will be on the other end of the $10,000 phone call??

[Yoda]

I know this is gonna sound kinda crazy, but how do we actually know that was the man himself (Steve Perry). I'm not so sure it was after reading through some of the answers to some of the outstanding questions. And i'm not alone on this one either as others have cemented there opinions as well.
It seems odd to me Perry would build a corner of his house to set up a drum set (kit) and record on a computer. He needs all that room and space i would think for those 50-plus songs he written and recorded through the years.
And also give Neil props for anything is what struck me the most. Neil has called him out so many times. (Steve, " your a F-stupid ass B_____d", and a lousy washed up singer, ") through the years. That's something coming from a very below average guitarist of any circle. I'm more inclined to believe that may have been an imposter. Possibly Chris Allen or maybe Scotty McCreery remembering their pre-idol days.

Please tell me you're joking!

[Majestic]

Maybe this isn't the real me?

Maybe none of us are real...or maybe we exist, but only as figures in the dream of a butterfly.

[DrFU]

Maybe this isn't the real me?

Maybe none of us are real...or maybe we exist, but only as figures in the dream of a butterfly.

This ^^^ gets my vote.

[AR]

I know there are other threads on the interview but I just wanted to start my own because nobody has been more critical of Perry's interviews then me.

I think it's the most insightful interview Perry has given in a long time, decades probably. No cryptic msgs like "I never felt like part of the band" or "I think about touring all the time..." It's just plain simple conversation about subjects that everybody wants to read about and get answers to. It seems to me that Perry went into this wanting to talk and those really make the best interviews...not some interviewer trying to force an answer out of somebody who doesn't want to answer that question...

He still says some thing that don't quite sit well with me..like him bringing the band together...the band was already together, just not with hm. But, that's his perspective on things and in the big picture it's probably not that important anyway...and least it's not so important to me any longer.

The best thing that I get out of this is he let go of so much of the past and is able to just continue on without the negative feelings that even he admits he had in the beginning after TBF. That's a good thing and I'm glad he is able to do that.

His reasoning for being gone for so long is pretty much what I thought...I still don't think a tour or any live shows will ever happen...he dodged those questions pretty much. But, maybe by the end of the decade we'll see another album. That wouldn't surprise me at all.

But, overall it was a great honest, open interview. He should have done it 15yrs ago!

I agree with you. Andrew got more out of SP than anyone has in a long time. I'm sure there is more he would have liked to ask, but you have to tread the line. Regardless it was a very good read.

[tater1977]

[quote="Andrew"]Maybe this isn't the real me? [/quote

OK Andrew...what did you do with the lol...REAL You???

[RedWingFan]

I know this is gonna sound kinda crazy, but how do we actually know that was the man himself (Steve Perry). I'm not so sure it was after reading through some of the answers to some of the outstanding questions. And i'm not alone on this one either as others have cemented there opinions as well.

Oh Lordy!! Now I've heard it all!!!

Lora, can we get a voice analysis of the interview done please?

It doesn't matter. We're all just living in the Matrix anyway.

[ForceInfinity]

I know this is gonna sound kinda crazy, but how do we actually know that was the man himself (Steve Perry). I'm not so sure it was after reading through some of the answers to some of the outstanding questions. And i'm not alone on this one either as others have cemented there opinions as well.

Oh Lordy!! Now I've heard it all!!!

Lora, can we get a voice analysis of the interview done please?

It doesn't matter. We're all just living in the Matrix anyway.

Shit, no wonder everything tastes like chicken....

[Arkansas]

Perry doesn't need a record offer or a hard date to finish his songs. He needs Schon & Cain to finish them.
If he can still sing, or if he can't, it'd be pretty darned cool to at least see his name on a few writing credits.
I still don't know why he can't be part of the band....even if only in the studio.


later~

[Yoda]

Perry doesn't need a record offer or a hard date to finish his songs. He needs Schon & Cain to finish them.
If he can still sing, or if he can't, it'd be pretty darned cool to at least see his name on a few writing credits.
I still don't know why he can't be part of the band....even if only in the studio.


later~

If Perry was OK with that scenario, then he would have done it back in '98.